Multi-talented Dunn leads explosive Newtown attack into 2014

Jon Chik

Published 6:15 pm, Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Newtown wide receiver Julian Dunn, right, catches a touchdown over Ridgefield defensive back Aidan Mauro in the CIAC Class LL state quarterfinal football game between Ridgefield and Newtown at Newtown High School in Newtown, Conn. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013.
Photo: Tyler Sizemore

NEWTOWN -- Plenty of talented players had a hand in leading the Newtown Nighthawks to an SWC football championship with an unblemished 12-0 regular-season mark, but perhaps few were as versatile as Julian Dunn.

Throughout the course of the year, Dunn lined up as a receiver, defensive back, placekicker and punter.

Big play threat

For all the positions he played, however, wide receiver is where the senior-to-be made what was by far his greatest impact.

As a junior, Dunn hauled in 48 receptions for a team-high 1,024 yards and a team-high 22 touchdown passes.

So what can he do for an encore as a senior?

"We said this year that we're tired of just winning the league championship and then losing in the first round of states," Dunn said. "So we've been picking up the intensity and expecting everyone to play to a next level than we did last year."

Newtown coach Steve George notes Dunn's presence -- which is an imposing 6-foot-3, 215 pounds -- will likely help Jacob Burden, who is expected to be Newtown's new starting quarterback.

"He can help him out tremendously, no matter who's behind center," George said. "I think Julian has the skills where he can win a lot of one-on-one matchups and that helps the quarterback out."

After three seasons of catching passes from quarterback Drew Tarantino, a new arm will be launching passes to the Newtown wideout.

Dunn is looking forward to the challenge of reeling in throws from Burden.

"We've been working the whole offseason and we both have a lot of trust in each other," Dunn said. "I don't really see that big of a difference."

Using his smarts

Dunn is widely recognized as one of the smartest players on the field, something which rubs off on teammates.

"Even if he's not the fastest or strongest kid he's always going up and getting the ball and you'll never beat him on a jump ball," said Nick Lotrecchiano, a corner and one of Dunn's best friends. "He's too smart, he's always in the right position and he'll make a play every time for you."

George even went so far as to call Dunn the "smartest player on the field."

"Smartest player on the field. It's the best thing he does," George said. "He knows how to read coverage, he knows how to run routes and he knows how to go up and get the ball. He's very athletic as well. I've never had a kid like that before."

Doing it all

Dunn rarely comes off the field.

In addition to posting big-time receiving numbers, Dunn is also one of the team's starting safeties.

He shares the defensive backfield with Lotrecchiano, who indicated it's easier to play aggressive when he knows Dunn has his back.

"It's awesome," Lotrecchiano said. "He's real reliable. You never have to worry about him being over the top. He's fast and he can always get there for you."

Dunn notched a team-high four interceptions last season and made 32 tackles.

"He'll make a lot of checks and calls on defense based on the fronts that we get," George said. "He's usually the guy that notices and makes the adjustments."

Dunn also had a team-high 22 punts and added 14 kickoffs, and the senior-to-be is more than happy to play multiple roles for the Nighthawks.

"You get every experience that you're looking for," Dunn said. "It's fun playing everything. Once you get to the next level, you won't have that. And also you can teach the younger guys since you're playing all three spots on the team."

Unfinished business

Dunn and the Nighthawks are back with their perennially high goals of winning an SWC championship and a state crown.

Last season, Newtown entered the Class LL tournament as the top seed but fell to No. 8 Ridgefield 35-33, as a missed two-point conversion with 18 seconds to play prevented the Nighthawks from tying the score.

It was a tough pill for Dunn and the Nighthawks to swallow, particularly after rallying from a 35-13 second-half deficit. The state quarterfinal also was the sight of Dunn's touchdown pass, an 11-yard strike to Tarantino in the second half. Earlier in the game, Dunn was the recipient of Tarantino's 13-yard touchdown pass.

On the positive side, Dunn believes the setback has made Newtown more focused than ever.

"It was real tough seeing our seniors last year because they had worked hard the whole season, the whole year, their whole careers," Dunn said. "For the underclassmen, having them go out in that kind of style stinks, but it definitely gave us a spark to work hard in the offseason."

Playing for Sandy Hook

Dunn and his teammates dedicated the 2013 campaign to Sandy Hook, and he said the season took on an added importance after doing so.

"It was huge. It definitely gave us a different approach every practice and a different thing to work for every day," Dunn said. "We weren't playing just for the school and our peers. We were playing basically for the whole town and everyone that supported Newtown."